Ngapali is located about 4.3 miles (7 km) from the town of Thandwe in the Rakhine State. Without a doubt, it is one of the most stunning places in Myanmar. Most travelers from Yangon, Mandalay, or Bagan will fly into Thandwe Airport (SNW) and take a taxi or private transfer the few remaining miles. Direct flights are available from Yangon, while layovers should be expected from Mandalay and Bagan. 

Experience the area hassle-free with this 10-day itinerary that includes a seafood feast in Ngapali, along with a visit to nature lodge in Gwa and a sunset river cruise outside Bagan.

From Yangon

Duration: 50 minutes, plus travel to/from airports

Getting to Ngapali from Yangon is an easy, straightforward, and comfortable journey. You simply take a flight from Yangon International Airport (RGN) in Mingaladon and fly to Thandwe Airport (SNW). From there, you're just a few miles from Ngapali Beach via a short taxi ride.

Myanmar National Airlines and Mann Yadanarpon Airlines both operate direct flights which only take an hour. Given that going by road takes roughly 11 hours to traverse the 255 miles (409 km), flying is the best option by far.

From Mandalay

Duration: 5 hours, plus travel to/from airports

There are no direct flights from Mandalay to Ngapali, however, it's typically still worth flying through Yangon given that the alternative takes upwards of 14 hours. Your first flight will depart from Mandalay International Airport (MDL) in Tada-U and land roughly an hour and 25 minutes later in Yangon. From there, you'll have a 50-minute flight to Thandwe. Layover times will range depending on the flight and the time of year. 

From Bagan

Duration: 4.5 hours, plus travel to/from airports

The drive from Bagan to Ngapali typically takes 12.5 to 13 hours so most people opt to fly to save time and avoid the long, bumpy ride. There are no direct flights but you can go through He Hoe Airport (HEH) near Inle Lake. Your first flight will depart Nyaung-U (NYU) and arrive 40 minutes later in He Hoe. The second flight will take you directly to Thandwe in about an hour. Like with Mandalay, layover times will range but they're usually about 2 to 3 hours.

There are also flights that go through Yangon; however, this route typically takes longer.